Derby County put a dent in Newcastle United's promotion challenge this evening with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Coca-Cola Championship leaders at Pride Park.

Rob Hulse set the ball rolling five minutes before the break from close range, and just after the hour Kris Commons' penalty and Shaun Barker's crisp finish had the Rams in dreamland after another excellent display.

On a chilly evening inside Pride Park Derby got proceedings underway and quickly stamped their authority on the game by creating an opportunity in the opening minutes but Holesd, stretching at full length, just couldn't get on the end of Stephen Pearson's cross.

A minute later the Scot carved out another chance for the Rams, but Commons' firm header from ten yards out was straight at Harper in the Newcastle goal.

It was a positive start from the Rams, who had the home crowd in full voice and behind the side from the off.

Derby were the dominant force in the opening twenty minutes, retaining possession well and asking questions of the United backline.

Newcastle's first threatening moment came on twenty-three minutes on the break when Gutierrez burst towards goal, but Savage dived in to make a fine challenge as the Argentina international prepared to shoot at goal.

From there, Newcastle enjoyed a strong spell of possession inside the Derby half but they were unable to turn what they had of the ball into clear cut openings as the Rams stood tall and resolute.

Five minutes before the interval, Derby got the goal their play in the first half deserved as Hulse headed home his second goal in as many games at Pride Park. Savage slid Commons in down the right-hand side of the penalty area and he delivered a pin-point cross onto the head of Hulse six-yards out whose downward header crashed into the back of the net.

It was a goal the Rams deserved, but Stephen Bywater had to be alert to make outstanding point-blank saves to keep out first Wayne Routledge and then Kevin Nolan before the half was out. Both times as the Magpies players advanced towards goal the former England U21 international stood tall and made vital blocks.

Newcastle started the second half strongly and Routledge quickly got away down the wing to provide a dangerous cross which was headed home by Carroll, but the goal was ruled out as Referee Mr Taylor had already awarded a free-kick for a foul on the winger in the build-up and play was brought back to the Magpies' disappointment.

Barker then threw himself in the way of a goalbound Carroll effort inside the six-yard box as Newcastle continued to pile on the early pressure.

Just before the hour though, Derby had a great chance to double their lead when Tonge was hauled down by Gutierrez inside the box, leaving Referee Mr Taylor no other option than to point to the spot and Commons kept his nerve from 12 yards out to make it 2-0 to the Rams.

And Derby's night got even better minutes later when a corner into the Newcastle area wasn't deal with and Shaun Barker got in on the act with a crashing low volley which flew past Harper before he could even move.

Derby were making the table-toppers look ordinary to say the least with a high-tempo display and even at 3-0 they were not letting the Magpies enjoy any time on the ball.

Confidence was again brimming through the Derby side, and Commons tried his luck with spectacular volley from range with fifteen minutes left but he was just off target.

Newcastle knew they had no chance of finding a way back into proceedings with the Rams in scintillating form.

Commons left the field to a standing ovation with ten minutes remaining as Derby made their first change, with Javan Vidal coming on for his Derby debut in his place.

Moments afterwards Pearson almost made it 4-0 to the Rams, but he headed over from Tonge's corner.

At the other end Bywater made a good stop to turn away Smith's free-kick as the Toon Army chased a consolation goal.

Derby made a late double change replacing Hulse and Savage with Anderson and debutant David Martin.

The final moments were something of a formality as Derby saw the closing stages out to claim another highly impressive, and thoroughly deserved, victory against one of the Championship's top dogs.

Derby have another chance to rise to the occasion with the visit of Premier League Birmingham City to Pride Park on Saturday in the 5th Round of the FA Cup.